This project has been a huge learning experience for me. At the beginning of this class I could only operate basic programs on the computer and now I have my very own web page. This is something that I never imaged would be possible for myself. It is amazing how I went from having to have the definition of a URL explained to me to being able to have my won web page with working links to others web pages and also links to navigate through my own blog in different ways. I have also learned a great deal about the swallowing mechanism and problems that can occur during the act of swallowing (dysphagia). I new the basics about the phases of the swallow and the different consistencies of food in the beginning of this project but with my reading and searching I was able to understand the logistics of the swallow and also I put myself in the position of the client with dysphagia and also that clients family members. This definitely gave me a new appreciation for what the client might be going through. This can be a very social/emotional roller coaster for a client who was affected very suddenly by this disorder.

In completing this project I became much better at the skills required to post and navigate on my blog, and the rules about what to site and how to do it. In the very beginning it was so hard just to figure out what I was doing with my computer and on the internet to even begin thinking about the content of my blog. I also learned the hard way that you should never ever under any circumstance type directly onto your blog because many problems can arise that completely deletes all of the things you just typed. I will always type and save on word and then copy and paste onto my blog. I also found that it was better to have specific times every week that I work on my project. Every Saturday was devoted to work on my CD315 multigenre project. This allowed me to work out exactly what I wanted to do during the week and have everything organized and ready to type up and post on Saturday. This also allowed me to know ahead of time what I had problems with and what my plans were so I could discuss it in my online journal.

This project have lead me to a point where I feel comfortable I working with a computer, evaluating sites to see if they are actually credible sites. Now when people ask me do I know anything about computers I can say yes, I know quite a bit, I even have my own web page. It is fun to be able to tell others my address so they can view my work. This project also made me even more interested in swallowing and I am leaning even more towards working in the area of dysphagia after graduation. This has given me a lot of confidence in my computer abilities. I also can see this playing a big part in my future as an SLP but also in many other ways. The idea of a mailing list was new to me and now that I know I will definitely be on many mailing lists when I actually have time and the proper education level to discuss problems and other general discussions related to my field. I will also be able to use my new skill in many other areas. For example I can now use power point to create presentations for classes at school but it can also be used in my work experience to show/explain ideas to client since we all know it help if they can see what we are saying to them. Technology is such a useful skill and I am thankful for all of the work I have put into this class because now I have a good start to being technologically intelligent in being able to create different things on the computer and use them in many different ways.

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My name is Rikki Lewis, I am a senior at Marshall University majoring in communication disorders I will be graduating this coming May with a B.A. in communication disorders, with plans to immediately begin my graduate work, hopefully at Marshall University. I am unsure about the area I would like to work in after graduation but as it can be seen from my project I am very interested in dysphagia.
I am currently residing in Kitts Hill, OH where I live with my parent and my two younger siblings. However, June 7 I will be getting married to the man of my dreams and wearing the dress of my dreams. I am very busy right now not only with school but with my waitressing job and with building a house with my fiancé. This spring will be a very exciting time for me because I will graduate and get married with in a one month time period.

If there are any questions about my webpage I can be contacted at Rikki

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First I would like to thank my professor Mrs.McComas for assigning this project in which there is so much to be learned from all of the different voices used, and also for being able to use the technology required to create this blog. She has helped me to become a better learner and has helped me to realize learning is an active process that requires me to not only memorize static information but to be open to the idea that information is not static, it is constantly changing and we must be open-minded enough to accept these changes.
I would also like to thank my group members (Heather, Cheryl, and Erin) who have helped be work out some problems in my pieces of work and have given great support to my ideas and inspired some excellent ideas.

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